Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent from September 26, 2017, forward. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for this period based on the evidence of record. However, the claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent prior to September 26, 2017, remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and CJD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthmatic bronchitis and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including IVDS, mechanical back pain syndrome, lumbosacral sprain/strain and radiculopathy, are related to her military service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Veteran's OSA disability is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The left ear hearing loss claim is denied.,Service connection for a skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, is denied.,Service connection for deviated nasal septum is remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion.,Service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to tinnitus) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and incomplete records. The issues of headaches, chronic fatigue secondary to PTSD, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, an increased rating for PTSD, earlier effective dates for PTSD and tinnitus, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and RLS, but has remanded the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and IBS due to lack of clear evidence.

The Veteran's claims for lung disability, prostate disability, and sleep apnea were dismissed. Service connection was granted for scar of the right leg, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was diagnosed in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 23, 2010 and dismissed the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from that date.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and psoriasis.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis has been granted a 30% rating, and the issues of service connection for prostatic disability and sleep apnea have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to service, including in-service symptoms reported by him and fellow service members.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to have begun during his active service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of his soft palate angioma. Additional examinations are required to clarify whether the condition existed prior to service or developed during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The decision on sleep apnea is also remanded, with additional requirements for an adequate opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for depression and denied service connection for sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence to reopen the depression claim, and there is no link between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his back disability and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his back disability, as well as obtaining any outstanding treatment records.